There is still no settlement in the teacher contract negotiations in Burlington.

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Updated: 4:40 PM EDT Jun 1, 2017

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WEBVTT IG GAP BETWEEN THE TWOOFFERS.MONTHS AFTER THE SCHOOL BOARDDECLARED IMPASSE, THERE'S STILLNO NEW CONTRACT FOR BURLINGTONTEACHERS.>> I HAVE TO BE OPTIMISTIC THATWE CAN HAMMER SOMETHING OUT THATCAN SERVE THE NEEDS OF BOTHPARTIES.REPORTER: THE TWO PARTIES METWEDNESDAY FOR A SEVEN HOURMEDIATION SESSION.BUT THERE IS STILL A MASSIVE GAPIN SALARIES.>> IT'S QUITE A SUBSTANTIALDIFFERENCE AND WE HOPE TO CLOSEAS SOON AS WE CAN AND GET DOWNTO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BEACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.REPORTER: THE BOARD IS OFFERINGA 1.75% INCREASE FOR FISCAL YEAR18 AND 2% IN FY 19.THAT SHAKES OUT TO A LITTLE MORETHAN A 1200 DOLLAR RAISE PERTEACHER THE FIRST YEAR AND MORETHAN 1400 THE FOLLOWING YEAR.BUT, THE TEACHERS ARE SEEKING A5.28% INCREASE FOR ONE YEAR, AMORE THAN 3700 DOLLAR RAISE PER>> THE ONES WHO LOSE ARE THECITIZENS FO BURLINGTON. BECAUSEIF OUR COMPENSATION PACKAGE GOESDOWN THEN THAT BECOMES ANOTHEROBSTACLE IN TERMS OF RETAININGAND ATTRACTING THE BEST TEACHERSFOR BURLINGTON'S KIDS.THE DISTRICT IS ONE OF AROUNDFIFTY IN THE STATE EITHERUNRESOLVED OR AT IMPASSE.WITH THE LOOMING TEACHERHEALTHCARE DEBATE IN MONTPELIER,WHICH THE GOVERNOR SAYS WOULDSAVE THE STATE MILLIONS, HE'SSUGGESTING DISTRICTS PUMP THEBREAKS.>> I WOULD OFFER THAT YOU MIGHTWANT TO HOLD OFF A BIT AND SEEHOW THE NEGOTIATIONS WORK OUT.REPORTER: BUT BOTH PARTIES SAYTHAT'S NOT THE FOCUS.>> IN BURLINGTON WE HAVE TO WORKWITHIN WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT OURCOMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR RIGHTNOWREPORTER: WITH THE FISCAL YEARSTARTING JULY FIRST, ACOMPROMISE BY THEN MAY BEUNLIKELY.THE CURRENT CONTRACT WOULD HOLDUNTIL A NEW AGREEMENT IS

Burlington teachers, school board to meet with fact finder

There is still no settlement in the teacher contract negotiations in Burlington.

Months after the school board declared an impasse, there's still no new contract for Burlington teachers.

“I have to be optimistic that we can hammer something out that can serve the needs of both parties,” teachers’ union president Fran Brock said.

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The two parties met Wednesday for a seven-hour mediation session. But there is still a massive gap in salary proposals.

“It's quite a substantial difference and we hope to close (it) as soon as we can and get down to something that would be acceptable to the community,” said Mark Porter, of the Burlington School Board.

The board is offering a 1.75 percent increase for fiscal year 2018 and 2 percent in fiscal year 2019. That shakes out to a little more than a $1,200 raise per teacher the first year and more than $1,400 the following year.

The teachers are seeking a 5.28 percent increase for one year, a raise of more than $3,700 per teacher.

“The ones who lose are the citizens of Burlington. Because if our compensation package goes down, then that becomes another obstacle in terms of retaining and attracting the best teachers for Burlington’s kids,” Brock said.

The district is one of around 50 in the state either unresolved or at an impasse. With the looming teacher health care debate in Montpelier, which the governor said would save the state millions, he's suggesting districts pump the brakes.

“I would offer that you might want to hold off a bit and see how the negotiations work out,” Gov. Phil Scott said.

But both parties said that's not the focus.

“In Burlington, we have to work within what we have and what our community is asking for right now,” Porter said.

With the fiscal year starting July 1, a compromise by then may be unlikely. The current contract would hold until a new agreement is reached.